Cape Town – Chaos erupted at the Johannesburg High Court after seven Chinese nationals — four men and three women — were each sentenced to 20 years in prison for human trafficking, child labour, and labor law violations.
The convicted group, arrested in November 2019, had run an unregistered garment factory, Beautiful City (Pty) Ltd, where over 100 undocumented immigrants, including 37 children, were found locked inside.
During the sentencing, a woman named Nancy Xiao, believed to be related to one of the accused, caused a stir by claiming the group was being framed and that a powerful “big boss” is the real mastermind behind the trafficking operation.
She alleged the true operator remains free in Johannesburg, running a business called China Shield, and that the convicted individuals stayed silent out of fear for their lives.
“The real owner is right here in this country – they are lying. I tell you that big boss he has gun related background in this Chinese community in South Africa. He’s living in this country, in this town in Bruma.”
Police attempted to stop her from speaking, but she continued, insisting the authorities were lying and that the real traffickers are still at large.
The convicted individuals were found guilty on 160 counts, including operating an unregistered business, unsafe working conditions, and failure to keep financial records.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
